Sylvia Jean Carroll Daley, 82, of Sheridan passed away peacefully Monday, August 9, 2010 surrounded by her family. She was born September 19, 1927 in Sheridan, the daughter of Granville and Alta Wallace Carroll. She was the fifth born of their 14 children.

Sylvia attended local schools, including Coffeen and McCormick. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1946. She then enrolled in Hineman’s Business School, also in Sheridan.

She married Lonnie Walthall and they had one son, Charles K. Walthall. Following the death of Lonnie Walthall, Sylvia married Dave Wells and moved to Minnesota. They adopted Dave’s son, David E. Wells and Sylvia’s son, who became Charles K. Wells. Dave and Sylvia had three sons together: Thomas “Whitey” Wells, Mark Wells, and Dean Wells. After their divorce, Sylvia returned to Sheridan where she married Bill Daley, and they had four children: John Daley, Deanna Daley (Rives), Mike Daley, and Dixie Daley (Johnson).

Sylvia was first and foremost a mother to her children. She enjoyed her years as a housewife caring for her family. She worked as a bookkeeper, secretary and then as a house mother at the Wyoming Girls' School. She positively impacted countless young lives during her 15 years of service. She particularly enjoyed caring for people and animals, and was always excited to feed whoever came through her door.

Sylvia’s faith, strength and positive attitude towards life have been, and will always be, an inspiration to her family and each person who met her. Her perseverance and ability to overcome adversity is her legacy.

She was preceded in death by her parents Granville and Alta, sisters Cleyon Carroll and Beatrice Blackburn Hannon, and brothers Melvin, Ira Lee “Ike”, and most recently Donald, who sadly passed away one day prior.

She is survived by her nine children Dave (Kathy), Chuck, Whitey (Karen), Mark (Tammy), Dean, and John, all of Sheridan, Deanna (Wade) of Gillette, Mike (Kelly) of Banner, and Dixie (Mick) of Dayton and 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren who enduringly referred to her as Bapa. Additionally she is survived by three brothers, Gerald (Natalie) of Buffalo, Neal (Judy) of Sheridan, and George (Doralie) of Greeley, Colo. and five sisters, Rachel (George) Terry, Lluada Larsen, Docia (Don) Schuman and Lilas Cox, all of Sheridan, and Ella (Gary) Krull of Faribault, Minn.

Memorial Service will be at 10:00am Friday, August 13, 2010 at Champion Ferries Funeral Home at 244 S. Brooks Street with Deacon Kim Carroll officiating. A reception will follow at the Kalif Shrine. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to CHAPS Equine Assisted Therapy, PMB 201 1842 Sugarland Drive Ste 108, Sheridan, WY 82801 or the Sheridan Senior Center, 211 Smith Street, Sheridan, WY 82801.

SheridanMedia.com - August 11, 2010.